Usual address indicator Census night (UAICP)

This variable indicates whether a person was at home or elsewhere on Census Night. It contains the answer to the Census question about usual residence, which asks if the person usually lived:

• at the address on the front of the Census form (where they were on Census Night)
• elsewhere in Australia
• overseas.

In cases where a person did not state where they usually live, Usual address indicator Census night (UAICP) and Place of usual residence (PURP) are imputed. See Imputation flag for place of usual residence (IFPURP).

All persons

The data is largely captured from mark-box responses on the form, so the risk of processing error is low. Where the indicator mark boxes have been left blank by a respondent, but they have reported a usual address, UAICP is derived based on the address reported. Data may also be derived based on the relationship information reported on the form indicating that they are a visitor.

Usual residence data is a key demographic variable. If a person does not state where they usually live, UAICP and PURP are imputed. For more information about imputation, see imputation in the Census Glossary.

A question relating to usual residence was first asked in the 1971 Census and has been asked at every Census since.

The question was updated in 2021, instructional text was added to help people answer the question on usual address. Examples including ‘due to family conflict’ or ‘eviction’ were added to assist people who have no fixed or return usual address answer the question.

This variable, when used with the following data shows migration patterns:

• Usual address one year ago indicator (UAI1P)
• Usual address five years ago indicator (UAI5P)
• Place of usual residence (PURP)

Usual address indicator Census night (UAICP) is derived from Imputation flag for place of usual residence (IFPURP). Using the Imputation flag for place of usual residence (IFPURP), the non-response rate for Usual address indicator Census night (UAICP) was 4.3% in 2021. This is a decrease from 5.4% in 2016. For more information on imputation, see Census Methodology.

• Imputation flag for place of usual residence (IFPURP)
• Internal migration
• Place of enumeration
• Usual residence

• Population 
• People and communities
• Location: Census
• Comparing Place of Enumeration with Place of Usual Residence